We're not sure whether to believe this rumor — because, honestly, who in their right mind would turn down The Hobbit? Martin Freeman would have been a particularly inspired casting decision as Bilbo Baggins, too.

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"It was one of the most difficult decisions of his career. MGM, who are making the film, only got a formal offer over in the last couple of weeks. It was too late for Martin because he had already signed up for another series of Sherlock. It was agonising but he had no other choice."

While we're dismissing these rumors, we're not throwing out the idea completely. Martin Freeman in The Hobbit — that's an amazing idea. Maybe this rumor might actually start the casting wheels turning, because we'd love to see a ginger Hobbit. What do you think?